Understanding the role of piRNAs in mosquito immunity

Vector-borne diseases afflict humans, livestock and plants – according to WHO, vector-borne diseases comprise ~17% of all infectious disease of humans – and also threaten biodiversity by their impact on endangered species. Mosquitoes are a major vector group, and mosquito-borne viruses such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and West Nile viruses significantly impact humans, birds and other species, yet mosquito-virus interactions remain under-investigated. This project focuses on analysing one aspect of the mosquito’s response to infection, and manipulating that to prevent transmission of such viruses.

Infection is known to lead the production of small RNAs that affect the virus replication. The best-known are siRNAs produced by the Dicer pathway. However, piRNAs (piwi-interacting RNAs) are also produced; these slightly longer RNAs (ca26-30nt rather than 20-24nt) are found in all animals. They are known to suppress transposons in Drosophila, but poorly understood in mosquitoes. However, several lines of evidence suggest a role in immunity – they are produced following infection, and manipulating the piwi pathway affects virus replication. This project aims to investigate further by specific expression of piRNAs and piRNA precursors in the key vector mosquito Aedes aegypti, assessing effects on infection, virus replication and vector competence.

The Alphey lab is a world leader in mosquito synthetic biology and exceptionally well able to support and supervise this project in every respect – technical and subject expertise, funding, equipment and facilities, etc. This project aims to understand fundamental aspects of mosquito-virus interaction, but with a clear applied/translation goal if, for example, targeted manipulation of the pathway can reduce the ability of mosquitoes to transmit one or several relevant viruses. Since the piRNA pathway is conserved across animals, project outcomes will likely be relevant to other species well beyond mosquitoes and mosquito-borne disease.

For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Prof Luke Alphey luke.alphey@york.ac.uk.

About YBDTP:

YBDTP brings together world-class bioscience research and innovation, as well as excellence in doctoral supervision, across the region. YBDTP will fund postgraduate researchers at the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Hull, Leeds Beckett, Sheffield Hallam and Teesside forming a strong regional training partnership. In YBDTP you’ll benefit from a regional doctoral training programme that has interdisciplinary collaboration at its core. The aim is to enable you to develop a range of research skills in biological, biotechnology and biochemical areas as well as equip you with core data analysis and professional skills that are necessary for bioscience research and related non-academic careers.

https://www.whiterose-mechanisticbiology-dtp.ac.uk/yorkshire-bioscience-dtp/

Funding Notes:

Funding: A tax-free annual stipend at the standard UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25 entry), research costs and tuition fees at UK rate

Academic year: 2025/26

Open to: International (including EU) and UK (home) students

Eligibility:

Open to International (including EU) and UK (home) students.

You can apply if you have, or are expecting to gain, at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this programme, we welcome applications if your background is in any biological, chemical or physical science or mathematics and are interested in using your skills in addressing biological questions. International students should check if they meet the entry requirements for their country.

We aim to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK and are able to offer a limited number of bursaries that will enable full studentships to be awarded to international (EU and non-EU) applicants. These full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality candidates, due to the competitive nature of this scheme. 

The Yorkshire Bioscience DTP is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.

Not all projects will be funded; a limited number of candidates will be appointed via a competitive process.

English language:

If English isn’t your first language, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.

How to apply:

Application deadline: 5pm, Friday 14^th March 2025

To submit your application, click on the link to the Expression of Interest form in the Funding Notes section of any of your chosen projects. You can apply for up to 3 YBDTP projects (which can be at different universities).

We would advise you to read the questions in the form before submitting your application. Inside the form there is a link to a document for you to see the questions in advance.

If you have any questions about the application process, please email wrdtp@leeds.ac.uk.

If you have any questions about the project you are interested in, please email the project supervisor (details inside the project description).

How we allocate:

Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date and successful applicants will be notified promptly. If you’re shortlisted, you’ll be invited for an interview on a date to be confirmed in February 2025. You’ll be notified as soon as possible after the interview dates whether your application has been successful, placed on a reserve list or unsuccessful. If you are successful, you’ll be required to confirm your intention to accept the studentship within 10 days.

Terms and conditions:

The studentships are fully funded for four years, and you must complete your PhD in four years.

You’ll receive the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) stipend is tax free and does not need to be paid back.

International students will need to have sufficient funds to cover the costs of their student visa, NHS health surcharge, travel insurance and travel to the UK as these are excluded from UKRI funding.